Labour MPs threaten planning rebellion

A large number of Labour MPs are threatening to rebel over plans to remove politicians from planning decisions.

More than 60 of the party's backbenchers have signed an early day motion opposing plans to set up an independent commission to decide on major infrastructure.

Instead they are calling for a "new system for approving major infrastructure of national importance".

MPs are set to debate the remaining stages of the Planning Bill on their return to Westminster on Monday.

And together with the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats, the rebels could combine to defeat the Bill when it completes its Commons stages next week.

Sheffield Attercliffe MP Clive Betts, who tabled the motion, is concerned about the removal of central and local government from the process.

"I think it's really very worrying that matters such as a new nuclear power station, a new airport, a major new motorway, could all be eventually determined by an unaccountable, unelected commissioner, and not by a politician who is elected," he told the BBC on Thursday.

But the government insists that it is right that these decisions are taken out of politicians' hands.

"We do understand this concern and I've been discussing them for some time with MPs of all parties," local government minister John Healey said.

However he said there was "often a misunderstanding" of the role of ministers in planning,.

"These decisions aren't political; they are quasi-judicial," he added.